The 39th-ranked Frenchwoman beat Makarova for the second time in as many meetings.

Cornet broke serve six times stopping the Moscow native in 85 minutes.

“You know, it’s never easy to finish the match, especially because in the second set Ekaterina continued to play better and better, so I have to improve my performance too, in order of keeping up with her,” Cornet said afterward. “I am pleased, that I managed to win that tough match in two sets.”

“When I saw the draw I said to myself: Yeah, it will not be an easy draw,” Cornet said. “But on the other hand they are returning from the tournaments, so they will be tired. And if I keep playing like I played today I can beat any opponent.”

Sharapova won her first title in 29 months in Tianjin yesterday and accepted a Moscow wild card.

"Obviously, coming there with a title means a lot, but I really do want to finish strong," Sharapova said.